“Well, my friend, we’ll try the question, however, very soon,” said my father.

I must own, Charles, I again began to feel a little queer, and I think papa noticed it, for he told me to please myself as to going with him or staying at the inn.  I was nervous, though I felt sure nothing could really harm me, and then, I recollected, I should always repent, if my courage failed me, so I said boldly out,

“I shall certainly go with you, papa.”

“Very well, my son, but even now, if you had rather stay behind, I do promise not to reflect on you afterwards, therefore, act just as your feelings prompt you.  I am, myself, so fully persuaded that not anything supernatural can or will harm us, that I am determined to find out what can have led to such extraordinary reports.”

“But papa, do you not think ghosts are sometimes to be seen?”

“Frederic,” said he, “I will not pretend to say what a guilty conscience or over-heated imagination may have conjured up and fancied, but as I have neither, I do not expect to see anything supernatural; but, as I said before, having heard so much about the mysteries of this place, I think, that even had I not made the purchase, I should like to find them out.”

“But if you see the ghost, papa, will you then believe in such things?”

“Wait till, to-morrow, Fred; these are silly suppositions for a religious well educated boy to make, from whom far better things might be expected.  Now, only reflect a moment, and then ask yourself what good can these appearances do.”

I really now began to be quite ashamed of myself, and thought I was not only foolish, but wicked, in giving credence to the superstitious nonsense I had heard.

Mrs. Davis now coming in with some things papa had ordered to take with him; again ventured to say she hoped he would not repent going to Castle Hill, adding she would pay every attention to the young gentleman, meaning myself, in his absence.

“If I am not mistaken, he would rather accompany me Mrs. Davis, he has been early taught to fear nothing but acting wickedly; and I feel very sure be will not shrink from passing the night where I do; however he can please himself.”

Mrs. Davis actually looked aghast! and though I again expressed my readiness and determination to go, I own I was a little, a very little afraid.

“Well, it must be as you please, I see you are a gentleman not very soon turned, when you make up your mind to do a thing.”

“What time may we expect, this said ghost to visit us.  When does it usually appear?”

“Why, Sir, generally they say from twelve till two; well you may smile,” said she seeing papa unable to control his features, “but its not once I have warned you, nor twice either.”

“You have done so” said papa “and I feel certainly much obliged by your kind intentions.  I always heard the Welsh were superstitious; but could not have believed they carried it to such an extent as you do in this neighbourhood.”